RUSTON - Louisiana Tech softball will host the Second Annual "Dinner on the Diamond", presented by Karl Malone Toyota and Ruston Apothecare, on Saturday, October 11, at 7 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field featuring three-time All-American and Tech Hall of Famer Debbie Nichols-Hedrick.

The event will take place on the turf infield at the home of Bulldog Softball, following last year's successful debut.

In addition to hearing from Nichols-Hedrick, attendees will also hear from Bulldog head coach Josh Taylor, two-time Conference USA Coach of the Year. It's an opportunity to come out and meet the 2025-26 Bulldogs and hear about the past and the present. 

 "We are excited about the Second Annual Dinner on the Diamond and are honored to welcome back All-American Debbie Nichols to be our featured guest for the event," said Taylor. "Debbie is the epitome of what Louisiana Tech Softball has been about for more than four decades and what we continue to strive for every single year. She is truly one of the all-time greats.
"We are also so thankful to Karl Malone Toyota and Ruston Apothecare for their generosity in serving as our partners for this wonderful event."

Individual tickets for the Dinner on the Diamond are $35 each, while tables start at $350 for a party of eight, with the option to reduce your party to sit with one, or two, of our players.  To purchase tickets for Dinner on the Diamond, go to LATechSports.com/DinnerOnTheDiamond.

The evening will include a formal program, dinner with a cash bar, silent auction, raffles and more. Gates open at 6:45 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:35 p.m. and the formal program starting at 8:00 p.m.

During her four-year career, Nichols-Hedrick, who was Debbie Nichols at the time, became only the second female athlete at Louisiana Tech to ever obtain All-American honors three straight years, accomplishing the feat in 1988, 1989, and 1990.

"I am honored for the opportunity to return to my alma mater and take part in the Second Annual Dinner on the Diamond," said  Nichols-Hedrick. "This is a special chance to give back to the place that taught me the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience."

Nichols-Hedrick led the Lady Techsters to the NCAA Tournament in 1987, 1988, and 1989 while also being named the Louisiana Tech Player of the Year as a freshman, sophomore and senior. She pitched every inning of the 1988 season for the Lady Techsters, logging 409 innings and amassing a 50-8 mark that season. The Mesquite, Texas native still holds numerous school and NCAA records, including the most career starts (193), most career complete games (182) and most shutouts in a season (36) in 1988.

Fans are encouraged to stay through the weekend as LA Tech will host Baton Rouge Community College on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. as part of its fall schedule.